Machine for forming and compressing peat, &amp;c., into blocks or cakes.



No. 858,852. PATENTED JUNE 25, 1907.

I M. 0, SHARPNEGK. MACHINE FOR FORMING AND GOMPRESSI'NG PHAT, m, INTO BLOCKS OR- CAKES. APPLICATION 21mm 001.213.1908.

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lit v I No. 858,352. PATENTED JUNE 25, 1907. M. G. SHARPNEGK.

MACHINE FOR FORMING AND GOMPRESSING PEAT, 620., INTO BLOCKS 0R CAKES. urn-mums rnnn dor.1a.19oe.

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mr. rwams pzrsns all usnmcwm C sTA'rii's MATTHEW O. SHARPNEOK, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGN OR TO THE AMERICAN PEAT MACHINERY COMPANY, OF PORTLAN D, MAINE, A COR- PORATION OF MAINE.

MACHlNE FOR FORMING COMPRESSING PEAT, &c., lNTO BLOCKS OR CAKES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 25, 1907.

Application filed October TS, 1906. Serial No. 338,871.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MATTHEW O. SHARP- NEcK, a cltizen of the United States, residing at the city of Boston, in the county of Suffolk scribed, in machines for compressing and otherwise forming neat, etc., into blocks or cakes for use as fue In the drawings, Fi ure 1, mainly, is a central vertical section the machine, or appa ratus, of this invention, but the driving mechanism and some other parts thereof are shown in side elevation. Flgs. 2, 3, 4, and 6 are severally detached and enlarged views of different portions of the machine shown as one whole in Fig. 1, and all as will hereinafter fully a'rpear.

In the drawings, A is a horizontal shaft, to be supported and driven in any suitable manner. B and O are similar vertical bevel gear-wheels carried by" and turning with shaft A. D and E are horizontal bevel gearwheels meshing the gear-wheels B and O, respecfively, and each carried by a separate vertical shaft F and G, respectively, which are located alongside of each other and by and through these shafts, both of which are actuated from a common driving-shaft A, the necessary movements are transmitted to the mechanism of the apparatus of this inveni ion. Each vertical shaft F and G, at its upper end-portion, is supported and turns in suital'lle bearings of a horizontal platform H that is supported by vertical posts I from a common flooring J, and all so that the platform ll may be adjusted and secured in a lmrizontal position relative to the flooring J as may be desired. The shaft G, near its:

lower cndi )oriion, as at K, is in separate or detachable lengths telescoped together, and there they have a pin and socket-connection a. wherel'iy their parts, as the shaft is lengthcned. or shortened within given limits can be fastened together and so adapted to turn as one, and the extreme lower end of this shaft G, turns in a step-block suitably supported, all as hereinafter appears.

L is a horizontal pinion gear-wheel, intermediate of the length of and turning with the 5 5 shaft G, and meshing a larger horizontal gearwheel M surrounding and carried by a vertical cylindrical shell or casing N, which, at its lower end, enters into a bearing-socket O therefor of a stationary horizontal platform 6c P located below the meshing horizontal gearwheels L, M, and which is supported by fixed horizontal beams Q supported by vertical rods R from the flooring J. The bearing socket O is adapted, in any suitable manner, as a stufiing-box, for said entering-end of the shell N, while allowing the shell to freely and properly turn therein. 7

S is a vertical funnel or hopper-shaped basin, which extends upward from the upper open end of the cylindrical shell N, and is connected therewith so that the shell can freely turn on its lower open end, making, however, close joint therewith, and the upper open end of this hopper has a horizontal outward flaring flan e T and by and throu h this flange T, and otherwise, as shown, t 10 hopper is rigidly secured to the flooring J, and thus it is fastened in position and in connection or jointing with the shell N as has been explained. The hopper S and easing N are axially coincident with each other and with the vertical shaft F, before referred to, and within both of them, said shaft is provided with a spirally running flange H 8: of substantially corresponding diameter throughout, but within the casing of a gradually decreasing pitch toward and to the extreme lower end of the shaft, where it, the shaft, is arranged to turn in a suitable bear- 9o ing of a fixed horizontal partition or floor U through which it extends and in which it is adapted to turn.

The shaft F, at its lower end, is continued in a vertical shaft V, Fig. 4, in horizontal sec- 5 tion of square or polygonal shape, Figs. 2, 4t and. 5, and axially coincident with the shaft F. The shaft V is in separable sections severally held together by a collar fastened by a pin, as shown at V Fig. 4, and these several 00 collars are each. arranged to turn in a fixed horizontal partition .or floor similar to the floor U before referred to and all so lettered, and these several floors U are fixed in position at intermediate points of a common I05 cylindrical and stationary shell or casing W Die Expressing, Screw Ejector.

internally in direct and axial downward continuation of the shell N. This shell W is in sections corresponding to its several horizontal partitions U, and the sections are joined, the one to the other, through their lateral flanges U and headed screw-bolts U and screw-nuts U properly applied the two latter, bolts and nuts, to the former flanges. The sectional shell W, at its lower end and below its lowest partition U, is continued in a spout or tube X detachably attached thereto and which, beginning at its communication with the shell W, has a downward rounding turn and thence is continued, more or less, horizontally, but of a reduced internal diameter toward and to and terminates at its outer or discharging end X where it opens to the upper end of a downwardly inclining table or chute Y, having parallel upright sides, and a closed bottom or floor, but open at and alon its upper side. This chute Y at its lower enr is to communicate with-an endless-traveling belt or carrier (not shown) leading to an oven or kiln suitable for drying peat, which peat, by means of the apparatus of this invention is to be .delivered thereto from said endless-belt, and as so delivered is in separated or distinct compressed blocks or cakes, all as will hereinafter more fully appear.

The shell N, interiorly, has a spirally running flange N corresponding to the exteriorly running flange or spiral R of the shaft F at that portion therewithin, and these spiral flanges N and R are respectively located in relation to each other, so that as the shell and screw rotate, the directions of which, as will appear from their connection with the common driving-shaft A, are opposite to each other, the outer edges of the respective flanges will cooperate together, substantially similar to the cutting-edges of shear, scissors and other such like blades.

The several fixed horizontal partitions U, the one making a floor to the rotating-shell N and the others severally making floors to the respective sections of the statlonary casing \V in continuation of said rotating-shell N, have severally a series of perforations b throu h their thickness, Figs. 3 and 4.

Eac section of the sectional casing WV (Fig. 5) has a series of parallel vertical grooves (1 about its internal periphery and the internal diameter of the ribs between said grooves corresponds substantially to the external or outer diameter of separated radialarms or wings A Figs. 2, 4 and 5, severally arranged, in a quartering series about, and as to those of each series, in a spiral line or direction on their respective sections of the sectional shaft V. These several arms A by their outer edges pass by the vertical edges of the said vertical ribs of the sectional-casing W and cooperate therewith in the operation of the machine, as will hereinafter appear. Again the shaft F, in its portion, carrying the s iral running flange R, and also in each of t ie sectional portions constituting the extension V thereof, as has been explained, is pgrovidedwith separate radial wings or blades each of which has a cutting-edge B at its forward side or edge relative to the direction of its movement, or in other Words, to the direction of rotation of the shaft F and V and these several cut-ting edges as the shaft F and its extension V rotate act in cooperation with the edges of said'several perforations and with the upper surface of said partitions ll to secure a cutting or severing of whatever is or may be in their said path of movement or travel, all as will herein after more fully appear.

The vertical shaft G, herein before referred to, carries on its lower endportion a splined connected horizontal friction pinion-wheel C which is arranged for running in frictional contactwith the face of a vertical frictional disk or plate 1) that is journaled on a fixed 11 right E and carries a radially extending b ade F having a cutting-edge G situated in relation to the discharging-end X of the spout X so that as the blade is swung around by the rotation of the journaled-disk I) which carries it as described, said cutting edge will be thereby passed or moved across the discharging-end X of said spout, and in so passing effect a severing or cutting ofl of what is projecting therefrom, or in other words, a portion of the peat which, by the opfiration of the machine described, and w 'ch operation is to be presently explained, has been projected therefrom.

The described spline connection of the friction-pinion (1 allows it to be adjusted vertically on its carrying-shaft G, as may be desired, and thus it can be placed in fric tional running contact, either farther from, or nearer to the axis of rotation of the vertical frictional-disk D and so thereby the said swing of the cutting-blade across the discharging-end of the chute X relative to the run of the peat therefrom, can be regulated for reasons and as will further hereinafter appear. For adjusting the splined connected friction-gear as above stated a forked-lever H is provided, and this forked-lever, by its tines, engages a peripheral-groove of the hub of said pinion C and it is fulcrumed on a suitable support I and is arranged to be held against accidental displacement, after it has been once swung or operated to place the friction-pinion C as may be desired, by engaging it with the then proper notch of the series of notches of a stationary uprightarm .J suitably located therefor.

The peat to be treated and with the apparatus of this invention, is, after being gathered and prior to being treated therewith, allowed to substantially dry out its contained moisture, by simply exposing it to the air for a sufficient length of time, on which, it, then, with the mechanism described in motion, is fed by Examiner.

ICC

hand, or otherwise suitably, into the hopper S, as from time to time may be requisite or proper. So fed in, the peat is by the then operation of the rotating and externally spirally-flanged shaft F within the hopper in cooperation with the then simultaneous operation of the rotating and internally spirallyflanged shell N not only fed, but also more or less pressed downward and compressed together, and so fed, pressed, and compressed, it is more or less cut up or disintegrated by the cooperative action of the edges of the two sets of spirals as they pass each other, and further forced down upon and through the perforations of the bottom U of ,the shell into the stationary shell or casing and as so forced still further out up or disintegrated by the action of the cutting-blades B thereon, and entering into the first division of said stationary-shell it is therein further forced along, and pressed, and compressed and further disintegrated, and from thence forced through the "preforations of its floor or bottom U and similarly entered into and similarly treated or acted on in the next following division, and so on through the whole series thereof, when it is finally entered, and under pressure and compression into the spout X, and therein being forced and pressed along and further compressed it passes forward and out at the open or discharging end X thereof, where at intervals, or at portions of its so exuded length, it is cut oil into blocks or cakes by the cutting-blade F as it is caused to revolve at and across said open-end X and which blocks or cakes, one after another, drop, as each is so out, onto the incline chute Y and thence in rolling and tumbling over thereon they pass down along said chute, from which they are delivered and drop onto an endless belt, (before mentioned but not shown) and are thereby carried. into an oven or kiln of suitable kind for being dried and so made ready for use as fuel.

This, in substance, is the general operation of the machine of this invention. Considered more closely, it will be observed that the effect of the combined operation of the parts of the machine upon the peat, which is caused to pass from the hopper to and into the rotating-shell N below it, and therefrom to and through the several divisions of the stationary-she ll W next below, all as has been described, is to secure to the highest degree or extent possible, not only a thorough mixing of the several constituents or particles of the peat, but also the disintegration and cutting up of its constituents or particles, and all in a manner, whereby the mass is reduced to a most pulpy and homogeneous condition or state, while, at the same time, it is compressed or pressed into a most compact form and condition, which is further enhanced or increased, because of the resistssassz a ance to the passage of the so-compressed mass along the spout X before it can escape therefrom as described, secured by the reduction or contraction, in its internal diameter between its end-portion, at which it received the mass of pressed peat from the lower section of the stationary'shell W, and its dis charging-end X The vertical ribbing or grooving of the interior wall of the several sections of the sta tionary-shell WV is. further advantageous in that it tends to facilitate the carrying by the rotatory movement of thewings or arms A the peat mass about the chamber and also to secure a better or more efficient mixing of the constituents of the mass by the action. of said wings or arms thereon. And for this reason it is also preferable that the interior periphery of the hopper S should have vertically runnin grooves, as shown, Fig. 1. by the dotted lines in the opposite side-walls of the hopper and by full lines back of the plane of said sectional side-Walls, all and severally marked by the letter 9.

The described decrease in \the pitch of the spirally running flangeof the rotating-shaft F, substantially as has been explained, and as is shown, obviously serves to secure a. gradually increasing effect of compression or as it is being forced or is worked down through the combined action of the spiralflanges of both said shaft and said shell, but, however, the pitch of the shaft-flange may be uniform throughout the length of the flange, without departing from the principles of this invention. Again the stationary-shell WV may be divided into more or less separated sections, with perforated floors U as has been explained, or it may be one continuous chamber, from end to end, and the several perforated floors U may be dispensed with, but a combination of sections separated from each other by perforated partitions or floors, and each section having a set of rotating-arms or wings, and a set of cut ting-blades all substantially as has been described and as is shown, secures most satisfactory results and is most efficient and advantageous. Again, while it is preferable to construct the stati.onaryshell W in sections, detachably attached together as described, or otherwise suitably, it is not essential that it should be so constructed.

Arranging the frictional pinion C so as to be adjusted on its driving-shaft G in its hearing on the frictional-gear D nearer to or farther from the axis of rotation of said gear 1), enables the swinging movement of the knife-blade F to be regulated to suit the discharge of the peat, which has been prepared in the machine, at the discharging-end X of the spout X as also to secure the severing or 5 cutting of it into blocks or cakes of greater l or lesser thickness, for the reason that by a pressure on the peat in the rotating-shell N 9 proper adjustment, as aforesaid, of said frictional-bearing between the frictional-pinion and frictional-gear, the rotation of the knifeblade F can be thereby comparatively made more or less quick, or more or less slow, as the case may be.

Although the apparatus of this invention has been shown and described as vertically constructed and arranged in its several parts, it may be horizontally similarly constructed and arranged Without effecting its efficiency, or the method or manner of its operation as has been herein explained for it when in a vertical position.

From the description which has been given, it is obvious that the action of the apparatus on peat to prepare it for use as fuel embraces a feed, disintegration and compressing of peat in and by one continuous manipulation thereof and severally substantially simultaneously with each other.

Having thus described my invention what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patcut is,

1. In a machine or apparatus for preparing peat for use as fuel, the combination of a spirally-flanged and rotatable shaft, and an interiorly spirally-flanged and rotatableshell, the one rotating in a direction opposite to that of the other, and the shaft arranged within and axially coincident with the axis of the shell, and the outer edges of the flanges of the shaft and those of the flanges of the shell adapted to pass by each other in the rotation. of the shaft and shell.

21'" In a machine or apparatus for preparing peat for use as fuel, the combination of spirally-flanged and rotatable-shaft having its spiral increasing in pitch from one endportion toward its opposite end-portion, and an interiorly spirally-flanged and rotatableshell, the one rotating in a direction opposite to that of the other, and the shaft arranged. within and axially coincident with the axis of the shell and the outer edges of the flanges of the shaft and those of the flanges of the shell adapted to pass by each other in the rotation of the shaft and shell.

3. In a machine or apparatus for preparing peat for use as fuel, a spirally-flanged and rotatable-shaft, an interiorly spirally-flanged and rotatable-shell, the one rotating in a direction opposite to that of the other, and the shaft arranged within and axially coincident with the axis of the shell and the outer edges of the flanges of the shaft and those of the flanges of the shell adapted to pass by each other in the rotation of the shaft and shell, in combination with a stationary-hopper in communication with one end of said shell and having said rotatable-shaft in part axially contained therein.

4. In a machine or apparatus for preparing peat for use as fuel, a spirally-flanged and rotatable-shaft, and interiorly spirallyflanged and rotatable-shell, the one rotating in a direction opposite to that of the other, and the shaft arranged within and axially coincident with the axis of the shell and the outer edges of the flanges of the shaft and those of the flanges of the shell adapted to pass by each other in the rotation of the shaft and shell, in combination with a stationary-hopper in communication with one end of said shell and having said rotatableshaft in part axially contained therein, and its side-walls grooved and ribbed along its length.

5. In a machine or apparatus for preparing peat for use as fuel, a spirally-flanged and rotatable-shaft, an interiorly spirallyflanged and rotatable-shell, the one rotating in a direction opposite to that of the other, and the shaft arranged within and axially coincident with the axis of the shell and the outer edges of the flanges of the shaft and those of the flanges of the shell adapted to pass by each other in the rotation of the shaft and shell, in combination with a sta tionary perforated-plate at and across an open end of said shell, and a cutting-blade carried by said rotatable-shaft and arranged to move across the inner open ends of the perforations of said plate.

6. Ina machine or apparatus for preparing peat for use as fuel, a spirally-flanged and rotatable-shaft, and-interiorly spirallyflanged and rotatable-shell, the one rotating in a direction opposite to that of the other, and the shaft arranged within and axially'coincident with the axis of the shell, and the outer edges of the flanges of the shaft and those of the flanges of the shell adapted to pass by each other in the rotation of the shaft and shell, in combination with a stationary-hopper in communication with an open end of said shell and having said rotatable shaft in part axially contained therein, a stationary perforated plate at and across an open end of said shell opposite to said stationary-hopper and a cutting-blade carried by said rotatable-shaft and arranged to move across the inner open ends of the perforations of said plate.

7. In a machine or apparatus for preparing peat for use as fuel, a spirally-flanged rotatable-shaft, and interiorly spirally-flanged and rotatable-shell, the one rotating in a direction opposite to that of the other, and the shaft arranged within and axially coincident with the axis of the shell and the outer edges of the flanges of the shaft and those of the flanges of the shell adapted to pass by each other in the rotation of the shaft and shell, in combination with a stationary perforatedplate at and across one open end of said shell, a cuttingrblade carried by said rotatableshaft and arranged to move across the inner open ends of the perforations of said plate, a stationary-shell extending outside of, and be yond and axially coincident with said rotatal.)le-shaft, a stationary perforated-plate at the further end of said stationaryshell, and an axial rotatable-shaft continuous with said spirally flanged-shaft and crossing between and turning in said perforated plates and having wings or blades spirally arranged thereon and rotating therewith.

8. In a machine or apparatus for preparing peat for use as a fuel, a spirally-flanged rotatable-shaft, an interiorly spirally-flanged and rotatable-shell, the one rotating in a dircction opposite to that of the other, and the shaft arranged within and axially coincident with the axis of the shell, and the outer edges of the flanges of the shaft and those of the flanges of the shell adapted to pass by each other in the rotation of the shaft and shell, in ci'nnbination with a stationary perforatedplate at and across one open end of said shell, a cutting-blade carried by said rotatableshaft and arranged to move across the inner open ends of the perforations of said plate, a stationary-shell extending outside of and beyond and axially coincident with said perforated plate, a stationary perforated-plate at the further end of said stationary-shell, and an axial rotatable-shaft continuous with said spirally flanged-shaft and crossing between and turning in said perforated-plates and having radial-wings or blades spirally arranged thereon and rotating therewith, and also a radial-cutting-blade arranged to move across the inner open ends of the perforations of said plate which are at the further end of said stationary-shell.

9. In a machine or apparatus for preparing peat for use as a fuel, a spirally flanged rotatable-shaft, an interiorly spirally-flanged and rotatable-shell, the one rotating in a direction opposite to that of the other, and the shaft arranged within and axially coincident with the axis of the shell, and the outer edges of the flanges of the shaft and those of the flanges of the shell adapted to pass by each other in the rotation of the shaft and shell, in combination with a stationary perforatedplate at and across one open end of said shell,

a cutting-blade carried said rotatableshaf ge 0 move across the inner open ends of the perforations of said plate, a stationary-shell extending outside ofand beyond and axially coincident with, said perforated plate, and having ribs or grooves extending along the length of its internal wall, a stationary perforated-plate at the farther end of said stationaryshell, and an axial rotatal.)l(--shaft continuous with said spirally flanged-shaft and crossing between and turning in said perforated-plates and having radial-wings or blades spirally arranged thereon and rotating therewith, and also a radial cutting-blade arranged to move across the inner open ends of the perforations of said plate which is at the further end of said stationaryshell.

10. In a machine or apparatus for preparing peat for use as a fuel, a spirally-flanged rotatable-shaft, an interiorly spirally-flanged and rotatable-shell, the one rotating in a direetion opposite to that of the other, and the shaft arranged within and axially coincident with the axis of the shell, and the outer edges of the flanges of the shaft and those of the flanges of theishell adapted to pass by each other in the rotation of the shaft and shell, in combination with a-stationary perforatedplate at and across one open end of said shell, a cutting-blade carried by said rotatableshaft and arranged to move across the inner open ends of the perforations of said plate, a stationary-shell extending outside of and beyond and axially coincident with said perforated-plate, and divided along its length into sections detachably attached together, a stationary perforated-plate at the further end of each section of said stationaryshe1l, and axial rotatable-shaft continuous with said spirally flanged-shaft and crossing between and turning in said perforated-plates and in each of its said sections having radial- Wings or blades spirally arranged thereon and rotating therewith, and also a radial cutting-blade arranged to move across the inner open ends of the perforations of said plate which is at the further end of each section of said stationary-she'll.

11. In a machine or apparatus for preparing peat for-use as a fuel, aspirally-fianged rotatable-shaft, and interiorly spirally-flanged and rotatable-shell, the one rotating in a direction opposite to that of the other, and the shaft arranged within and axially coincident with the axis of the shell, and the outer edges of the flanges of the shaft and those of the flanges of the shell adapted to pass by each other in the rotation of the shaft and shell, in combination with a stationary perforatedplate at and across one open end of said shell, a cutting-blade carried by said rotatableshaft and arranged to move across the inner open ends of the perforations of said plate, a stationary-shell extending outside of and beyond and axially coincident with said perforated-plate, a stationary perforated-plate at the further end of said stationary-shell, an axial rotatable-shaft continuous with said spirally flanged-shaft and crossing be tween and turning in said perforated-plates and having radial-wings or blades spirally arranged thereon and rotating therewith, and also a radial cutting-blade arranged to move across the nner open ends of the perforations of said plate which is at the further end of said stationary-shell, and aspout leading from the discharging end of said stationary-shell which is contracted in its transverse area from end to end.

tionary erforated-plate at and across one 12. In a machine or apparatus for preparing peat for use as a fuel, a spirallyfianged rotatable-shaft, and interiorly spirally-fianged and rotatable-shell, the one rotating in a direction opposite to that of the other, and the shaft arranged within and axially coincident with the axis of the shell, and the outer edges of the flanges of the shaft and those of the flanges of the shell adapted to pass by each other in the rotation of the shaft and shell, in combination with a staopen on of said shell, a cutting-blade carried by said rotatable-shaft and arranged to move across the inner open ends of the perforations of said plate, a stationary-shell extending outside of and beyond and axially coincident with said perforated-plate, a stationary perforated-plate at the further end of said stationary-shell, an axial rotatableshaft continuous with said spirally-flanged shaft and crossing between and turning in said perforated-plates and having radialwings or blades spirally arranged thereon and rotating therewith, and also a radial cutting-blade arranged to move across the inner open ends of the perforations of said plate which is at the further end of said stationary-shell, and means arranged to sever the peat as it is discharged into separate cakes or blocks.

13. In a machine or apparatus for preparing peat for use as a fuel, a spirally-flanged rotatable shaft, and interiorly spirallyflanged and rotatable-shell, the one rotating in a direction opposite to that of the other, and the shaft arranged within and axially coincident with the axis of the shell, and the outer edges of the flanges of the shaft and those of the flanges 'of the'shell adapted to pass by each other in the rotation of the shaft and shell, in combination with a stationary perforated-plate at and across one open end of said shell, a cutting-blade carried by said rotatable-shaft and arranged to move across the inner open ends of the perforations of said plate, a stationary-shell ex tending outside of and beyondv and axially coincident with said perforated-plate, a stationary perforated-plate at the further end of said stationary-shell, an axial rotatableshaft continuous with said spirally flangedshaft and crossing between and turning in said perforated-plates and. having radialwings or blades spirally arranged thereon and rotating therewith, and also a radial cutting-blade arranged to move across the inner open ends of the perforations of said plate which is at the further end of said stationary-shell, a spout leading from the discharging end of said stationary-shell which is contracted in its transverse area from end to end, and means arranged at the discharging end of said spout to sever the peat, as it is discharged, into separate cakes or blocks.

14. In a machine or apparatus for preparing peat for use as a fuel and having means for feeding, mixing, disintegrating, pressing and compressing the peat, the combination with the delivery of said so prepared peat from the machine, of means consisting of a continuously rotating cutting-blade for severing the peat as it is delivered, arranged to operate at intervals thereon, and thereby to divide it into separate cakes or blocks, and means for operating said blade arranged for adjustment to vary the speed of rotation of said cuttingblade.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

MATTHEW C. SHARPNECK.

\Vitnesses:

ALBERT W. BROWN, LESTER L. Forms. 

